The chief executives of trusts rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission have been in post much longer than those rated inadequate – several of whom have stayed less than a year, HSJ analysis confirms.

Almost 70 per cent of NHS trusts have seen a rise in E coli infections in the 12 months up to to January 2017, raising questions over their ability to meet the government’s target to cut rates by 50 per cent in three years.

An HSJ roundtable sponsored by Shire brought together experts to ask whether the NHS was taking advantage of all the factors that could improve outcomes for patients with rare diseases. By Alison Moore

Birmingham and Solihull’s sustainability and transformation plan, which has been published today despite NHS England asking for the release of STPs to be delayed, has proposed a single “lead provider” for maternity care.